Download the free NZ Fishing Rules app

Or free text "app" to 9889 to be sent the links to your phone. Once installed, the app will work without an internet connection.

Use our free text service

Send a free text to 9889 with the name of a species.

For example, text "blue cod" or "pāua" to 9889. You'll be sent legal bag and size limits for that species by return text.

Limits, closures, and restrictions

Expand All

Finfish bag and size limits

A summary of the finfish daily bag and size limits.

In the Southland area there is a combined daily bag limit of 30 finfish per fisher, consisting of any combination of the species listed on the following table. Individual species limits must not be exceeded.

Remember there may be bag and size limit restrictions for finfish within some areas. Check the closures and restrictions section for more information.

Shellfish are taken when they cannot freely return to the water e.g. placed into a catch bag or similar. At no time while gathering may you be in possession of more than your daily limit.

Remember there may be bag and size limit restrictions for shellfish within some areas. Check the closures and restrictions section for more information.

Shellfish Species

Max daily limit per fisher

Min size (mm)

Cockle

150

none

Kina (sea eggs)

50

none

Mussels*

25

none

Oysters – Dredge†(Season: 1 Mar to 31 Aug)

50

58

Paua – Ordinary– Yellow foot

1010

12580

Pipi

150

none

Scallops†(Season: 1 Oct to 15 Mar)

10

100

Toheroa#

Prohibited

Prohibited

Tuatua

150

none

All others (combined) •

50

none

* Excluding Stewart Island where the mussel limit is 50.

† Divers on a vessel may take an additional quota of oysters or scallops for up to two people acting in a dive safety capacity. Note: This only applies to taking oysters and scallops.

# Toheroa must not be taken, possessed or disturbed unless authorised by a Customary Authority.

• This is a combined, mixed-species bag limit. It applies to all shellfish species not specifically named above and includes all crabs, limpets, catseyes, cook’s turban, starfish, periwinkles and freshwater crayfish (koura).

Rock lobster/Crayfish

A summary of the rock lobster/crayfish daily bag and size limits.

Remember there may be bag and size limit restrictions for rock lobster within some areas. Check the closures and restrictions section for more information.

Daily bag limits

Maximum of 6 rock lobster (both species combined) on any one day.

Spiny rock lobster minimum size

Measure the tail width in a straight line between the tips of the two large (primary) spines on the second segment of the tail. If you are unsure of the sex, use the 60mm measurement.

Packhorse lobster minimum size

Measure the tail length along the underside in a straight line from the rear of the calcified bar on the first segment to the tip of the middle fan of the tail. Must have a tail length of at least 216mm (male and female).

Additional rules and protections

There are rules and protections for gathering rock lobster/crayfish that cover: protected types, gathering methods, pot construction and use. For more details check the: